Three former employees of the Annapolis Area Christian School sued the school's association this week, contending that the board did not protect them from sexual harassment and retaliation by Superintendent George J.W. Lawrence Jr. though board members knew about it.

In the lawsuit filed in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, Sharon Finecey, a former director of human resources; Lynne George, a former assistant to the dean of students; and Anthony Masevice, a former finance director, claimed that between 2009 and 2011 they were subjected to Lawrence making sexual remarks and retaliation for efforts to end it, and were forced to resign.

Paul DeRoo, whom the school's website identifies as the vice president of its governing board and a former president, declined to comment. He said he would ask the board's attorney to respond. No call from the attorney was immediately received Thursday night. According to the lawsuit, the board denied allegations of harassment and retaliation in accepting the resignation of Masevice.

Lawrence was not sued and could not be reached Thursday. The school is looking to hire a superintendent, according to an October letter on its website.

The former employees are seeking damages, but the lawsuit does not give any amounts. They also want their jobs back and employment practices addressed, according to the lawsuit

"As stated in the lawsuit and as confirmed by the EEOC [U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission], the school had knowledge of the inappropriate conduct and yet allowed it to be repeated time and time again," said Joyce E. Smithey, attorney for the three former employees.